Wave after wave of pain had already left Zhou Shaojin’s senses somewhat numb. When the midwife placed a piece of soft wood in her mouth and told her to push, she didn’t even know where she was directing her strength. But the room suddenly erupted in cheers: “Born! The baby’s born! It’s a young master!”
Zhou Shaojin had just breathed a sigh of relief when her heart rose again. She asked repeatedly: “Is the baby alright?”
“Fine!” The midwife laughed, followed by a sharp “smack,” and the baby burst into loud wails.
“Look at this child, crying so loudly!” Qiu Shi wiped the sweat-drenched Zhou Shaojin’s forehead with a warm cloth, unable to hide the smile on her face. “He’ll surely be a chubby boy who eats and sleeps well.”
Tears streamed down Zhou Shaojin’s face.
Living two lifetimes, she had finally safely and smoothly given birth to a child and become a mother.
She propped herself up halfway, smiling as she reached out toward the midwife: “Let me see him!”
The midwife smiled: “Madam, please wait a moment.” Then she deftly cleaned the baby.
Fan Liushi and the others weren’t idle either, beginning to help Zhou Shaojin wash and change clothes, wrap her head. Only after Zhou Shaojin was tidied up did they bring over the now clean and neatly dressed little baby.
The child was a red little bundle, eyes closed, with beautifully arching eyelids, a pert little nose, plump rosy lips, and glossy black hair—extremely beautiful.
Zhou Shaojin felt her heart melt.
Qiu Shi exclaimed: “Oh my! How can he be so beautiful! When he grows up, who knows whose daughter he’ll break the heart of!”
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but smile, gently touching her son’s soft hair as if stroking the most precious thing in the world, with light hands and bated breath.
A commotion came from outside.
Zhou Shaojin and Qiu Shi looked up to see the curtain lift as Old Lady Guo hurried in with quick steps.
“Where’s the child?” She couldn’t hide the joy between her brows. “Let me see, let me see quickly!”
Qiu Shi carefully picked up the baby and placed him in Old Lady Guo’s arms.
“This child is truly beautiful!” Old Lady Guo smiled until her eyes curved. “Just like Fourth Brother when he was small!”
“Really?” Zhou Shaojin looked up at the child.
It was still unclear who the baby resembled, but if he looked like Cheng Chi, he would surely be handsome.
“Like he was cast from the same mold as Fourth Brother.” Old Lady Guo said with certainty. “If you don’t believe me, just look. In a few days when his features develop, you’ll know.”
Zhou Shaojin smiled faintly.
A maid brought in fermented rice wine.
Qiu Shi personally fed it to her.
How could she trouble Qiu Shi like this!
Zhou Shaojin struggled to sit up.
Qiu Shi immediately supported her: “What’s wrong with it? In terms of seniority, I’m your second sister-in-law. In terms of age, you’re even younger than Ah Sheng. It’s proper for me to care for you.”
Hearing this, Old Lady Guo nodded slightly and said to Zhou Shaojin: “You needn’t be so polite with your second sister-in-law. Just remember her kindness, and in the future when Ah Sheng and the others need help, don’t hesitate to assist them.”
Zhou Shaojin took this to heart.
Old Lady Guo’s gaze fell smiling on the child’s face again. She asked Nanny Lü: “Has someone been sent to deliver the news to Fourth Brother?”
Cheng Chi wouldn’t be able to complete his duties and return to the capital until the end of June. He hadn’t been able to make it back for Zhou Shaojin’s delivery.
Nanny Lü quickly smiled: “As soon as the young master was born, we sent someone by urgent eight-hundred-li dispatch to Kaifeng Prefecture.”
Old Lady Guo nodded with satisfaction.
Nanny Lü was also busy announcing the good news to Zhou Chujin at Apricot Grove Lane, Twin Elm Lane, and Elm Tree Lane, as well as to Cheng Zheng’s in-laws the Xu family, Cheng Zhen’s in-laws the Yuan family, Cheng Sheng’s in-laws the Peng family, and other relatives and friends.
In less than an hour, Zhou Chujin arrived holding Guan Ge’er, and Cheng Sheng arrived holding Rui Ge’er, one after the other.
Shortly after, both Cheng Zheng and Cheng Xiao came with their children.
Aren even ran back and forth in the room with Guan Ge’er.
The room immediately became lively.
Zhou Shaojin could imagine everyone’s expressions even through the screen. Though somewhat noisy, it made her feel warm and close.
She kissed her son’s soft, tender little face. Content and satisfied, she fell asleep.
The days that followed were somewhat hectic.
Nursing for the first time, holding the baby for the first time, coaxing the baby to sleep for the first time… Though maids and servants helped, she worried about him in her heart and couldn’t completely let go.
After finally getting everything organized, Cheng Chi’s letter arrived.
He had chosen the name “Yun” for the child, but didn’t say when he would be able to return.
Zhou Shaojin worried secretly.
But Old Lady Guo nodded repeatedly: “This is an excellent name. ‘A mountain shines when jade is hidden within stone.’ Our Cheng family is precisely at a time when we should keep a low profile and bide our time.”
Zhou Shaojin also thought the name was well chosen.
This was her and Cheng Chi’s first child, and moreover the eldest son. If his temperament was gentle and he could be tolerant of his younger siblings, that would be even better.
Old Lady Guo discussed the full moon celebration with her: “…Why don’t we just invite the family to celebrate together, and when the child reaches his hundredth day, we’ll host relatives and friends. By that time, Fourth Brother will have completed his duties too.”
Zhou Shaojin nodded with a smile: “I’ll follow Mother’s arrangements!”
Old Lady Guo chuckled, very pleased.
Now that her youngest son had an heir, she would have something to report to the Cheng family ancestors when she went underground.
Old Lady Guo went to prepare for Yun Ge’er’s full moon celebration, while Zhou Shaojin played with her not-yet-month-old son.
Unfortunately, Yun Ge’er spent most of his time sleeping, occasionally opening his eyes to squint before falling asleep again.
Zhou Shaojin never tired of watching him. One moment kissing his little face, the next touching his little hand, playing with him by herself, her thoughts entirely on her son. As for the full moon celebration and such, she didn’t manage any of it.
On the day of the full moon, she only invited family relatives over for a meal and called in a female storyteller.
Cheng Jing even took half a day off for this, having Yuan Shi bring Yun Ge’er for him to see.
Yun Ge’er’s wet nurse was surnamed Ye. Zhou Chujin had helped find her—she was cousins with Guan Ge’er’s wet nurse. Not very old, fair-skinned and plump, with a gentle temperament. Zhou Shaojin was very satisfied.
She carefully wrapped the child in fine cotton cloth for Cheng Jing to see.
Cheng Jing was absolutely delighted. He wanted to hold the baby but feared hurting the soft little bundle. He smiled at Old Lady Guo: “This child is truly beautiful, exactly like Fourth Brother when he was small!”
“Very similar indeed!” Cheng Shao smiled, touching the child’s little hand.
Cheng Wen also pushed forward: “Let me see, let me see!”
Nanny Ye raised her arms to show the baby to Cheng Wen.
Cheng Wen beamed and tucked a longevity lock inlaid with precious gems onto Yun Ge’er.
Cheng Jing looked Cheng Wen over in good humor and laughed: “Are you planning to put this away in the child’s dowry chest?”
Even wealthy families wouldn’t let a child wear something so flashy. First, it was vulgar; second, they feared it would catch the eye of someone with ill intentions who might kidnap and sell the child for a longevity lock.
Cheng Wen grinned: “A light gift with deep sentiment, a light gift with deep sentiment!”
“So this is what you call ‘a light gift with deep sentiment’?” Cheng Jing pointed to the pigeon-egg-sized ruby inlaid in the longevity lock. “Next time when I have a grandson, you don’t need to give our little grandson anything too expensive—just something like this will do.”
Everyone laughed.
Nanny Ye took the opportunity to carry the baby back to the room.
Cheng Jing then asked Cheng Wen: “How come I don’t see Nuo? He should be twenty-one this year, right?”
Hearing this, Cheng Wen’s expression became somewhat uncomfortable.
He knew his son and daughter-in-law didn’t get along. But as a father-in-law, how could he manage affairs in his son’s chamber?
Should he send his son and daughter-in-law back to Jinling?
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he immediately rejected it.
Madam Wen herself was muddled—if she went to counsel their son and daughter-in-law, it would be good if she didn’t persuade them to divorce!
At this moment, Cheng Wen increasingly missed his concubine’s virtues.
He could completely send his son and daughter-in-law back to Jinling and bring his concubine over!
The more Cheng Wen thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. He became somewhat distracted and said: “With Fourth Uncle Chi having a fine son, he’ll come no matter what. He’s just delayed a bit—these past two months he met some merchants who trade with the Western Regions and took several thousand taels worth of tea from our shop. The merchants came again, and Nuo is currently showing them tea with some people. He’ll come right over once they leave.”
This was the first time Cheng Jing had heard of this. He smiled: “Seems your tea shop’s business is quite good!”
“So-so, so-so.” As Cheng Wen spoke, his expression revealed a trace of pride. “It wasn’t great before, but fortunately I decided decisively to buy the neighboring teahouse. Nuo has also proven himself capable, making two deals. Though we haven’t recouped our investment, we’ve covered these past two years’ expenses. This child might even follow in his Fourth Uncle Chi’s footsteps!”
Everyone fell silent.
Qiu Shi quickly signaled her son with her eyes.
Cheng Rang hesitated for a few breaths before stepping forward: “First Uncle, Uncle Wen, the feast is about to begin. Let me show you to the dining room!”
This finally changed the subject.
Qiu Shi gave Cheng Rang a thumbs up.
Cheng Rang smiled sheepishly and followed them into the room.
Cheng Zheng also noticed Cheng Nuo hadn’t come and asked Wu Baozhang: “Is Nuo very busy?”
Wu Baozhang smiled: “We just happened to get a big deal these past two days. If the business goes through, it should sustain us for a year or two. He had no choice but to see off those merchants first.”
In reality, when she heard Cheng Nuo couldn’t come, she had closed the door and laughed in her room for quite a while.
Zhou Shaojin’s son was having his full moon celebration, and Cheng Nuo, this cousin, was clearly in the capital yet didn’t attend.
This could be considered a slap in Zhou Shaojin’s face.
So not only did she not stop Cheng Nuo from going out, she even told him business came first, and she would explain things to Zhou Shaojin…
Cheng Xiao, however, was quite unhappy. She quietly said to her sister Cheng Zheng: “I didn’t expect Fifth Uncle to become so heartless in business that even Nuo not coming to attend Yun Ge’er’s full moon celebration doesn’t cause him the slightest embarrassment.”
Cheng Zheng said lightly: “But at least Uncle Wen can support himself now, right!”
That was true.
Cheng Zheng was too lazy to concern herself further with Cheng Wen’s affairs. She smiled at Cheng Xiao: “I’m going to see Little Aunt. Do you want to come along?”
“Let’s go together!” Cheng Xiao smiled and went to the inner room with her sister.
Yun Ge’er had just finished eating and was lying in Zhou Shaojin’s arms blowing bubbles for fun.
“This child is quite mischievous!” Cheng Zheng smiled and took Yun Ge’er into her arms.
Yun Ge’er suddenly stopped blowing bubbles and stared at Cheng Zheng with eyes as clear and blue as pools, making no sound for the longest time.